Pushchairs and buggies: parents' tips

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We asked BabyCentre parents for their tips on buying a pushchair, buggy, or pram. Here are some of their ideas.

What should you buy?

"No one I know used large prams for a long period of time. When my baby was six months old, I got an umbrella-folding, lightweight stroller instead. It was much easier to manage on public transport than my pram."Susan

"You really need to consider what you will be using your pushchair or buggy for; whether it's for the town or the country, and if you need to get it on public transport. You also need to think about how big your car boot is!"Peter

"All-terrain pushchairs tend to be heavy and, unless you do lots of country walking, most people don't use them for long."Gabby

"If you are thinking of an all-terrain model, think carefully about what sort of tyres they have. A friend of mine had one with pneumatic tyres. She had to keep pumping them up and she found it really annoying." Zan

"I switched from a two-in-one pram/pushchair to a buggy when my son was only five months old. He was always so nosey and wanted to see what was going on! It's up to you to decide what's best for you and your child."Claire

"I found a travel system great in the first few months. It meant that I could lift the car seat out of the car and place it in the pushchair without disturbing my baby."Zelikha

"I used an umbrella-folding pushchair from my baby's birth as it had a lie-flat position. I found it brilliant because it was so easy to put up and down, and it fitted into my car boot without any problems."Lee

"When my youngest daughter was older and wanted to look around more, I bought a lightweight umbrella-fold twin stroller. I still have this now and although I don't use it much, it's really narrow and light."Amy

Shopping hints and tips

"It's probably worth setting aside a weekend to go to a few shops and look at a variety of models. Before you go, make a few notes of things you definitely do and don't want. This will help you to avoid being overwhelmed by the choices available!"Lisa

"Try the folded pushchairs in your car boot, and check that any car seats you are looking at fit in your car. Have a really good play with the pushchairs in the shop, too. It is especially important to have a go at folding and lifting the pushchair."Mark

"You don't have to rush a decision about a pushchair. Go to a shop, try out some pushchairs, grab some brochures, and then head home to have a think about things. A pushchair is a huge purchase and it should be one you feel completely happy with. And don't forget, shopping should be fun, so if it's all getting too stressful, remember that there's always another day!"Helen

"When your baby arrives, you will have your hands full. Make sure you have a go at folding and lifting the pushchair with only one hand. You will be amazed at how important this will be once your baby is born."Sharon

"Buying supermarket brand accessories, such as rain covers, can be a great way to save money."Danni

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